A Historic Moment
The Senate health insurance reform bill just passed the House by a vote of 219-212.
No matter how you feel about the bill, you must recognize the historic moment. Republicans all voted no. 34 Democrats also voted no.
Speaker Pelosi will be remembered by history as one of the most powerful and effective speakers, ever. The conversation in the media now will be about the great victory by President Obama and the recriminations among the Republicans will begin.
Now, the House is voting on a motion to recommit on the reconciliation bill, which has already failed. The vote on the reconciliation bill is up next.
Update Reconciliation bill passes. 220-211
Harry Reid released a letter today, 52 Senators support reconciliation.
Obama has been able to do what no Democratic president has done before. Roosevelt, Truman, Johnson and Clinton were not able to pass health care reform. President Obama, with a huge assist from Speaker Pelosi, have accomplished what Democrats have wanted to do for more than 60 years.
Already, the press narrative has changed – one of the greatest first term presidents ever.
Comment by M. McKain on 21 March 2010 at 11:19 pm:
Change has come….amazing. A president that promised and delivered, with help, of course. Our first minority president and the most powerful woman in US history apparently make one heck of a team! It is far from perfect or ideal, but I am proud to be a Democrat right now.
Comment by cassandra_m on 21 March 2010 at 11:22 pm:
And it seems that President Obama will be speaking shortly.
Speaker Pelosi deserves alot of credit for getting this done. Hope that the Senate does not dishonor that.
Comment by Unstable Isotope on 21 March 2010 at 11:22 pm:
I’m proud too. Yes, of course, the bill could be better but this bill will an important first step forward.
Some Republican Congressman yelled “baby killer” when Bart Stupak was speaking. We don’t know who yet.
Comment by Republican David on 21 March 2010 at 11:30 pm:
USSA the end of a free Republic.
Comment by Von Cracker on 21 March 2010 at 11:31 pm:
No brain, all drama, David.
Now go cry in your pillow.
Comment by cassandra_m on 21 March 2010 at 11:33 pm:
Reconciliation bill passes!
220 – 211 and Speaker Pelosi is gaveling it done.
Comment by xstryker on 21 March 2010 at 11:33 pm:
Reconciliation bill passes! USA! USA!
Comment by a.price on 21 March 2010 at 11:34 pm:
“USSA the end of a free Republic.”
took long enough.
Comment by Jason330 on 21 March 2010 at 11:40 pm:
Castle’s statement is a flat out joke. He favors a ” incremental, bipartisan” reform. I hope someone asks him if he thinks the GOP caucus favors a ” incremental, bipartisan” approach.
Comment by cassandra_m on 21 March 2010 at 11:40 pm:
And you can tell, he doesn’t even live in the same country as the rest of us — the USSA indeed.
Comment by a.price on 21 March 2010 at 11:43 pm:
once again, the republican strategy totally relies on the country failing. “GOP.. short-selling America for 50 years”
Comment by a.price on 21 March 2010 at 11:50 pm:
http://jezebel.com/5498461/conservative-blogger-calls-for-obamas-assassination-on-twitter THAT didn’t take long.
Comment by Scott P on 21 March 2010 at 11:59 pm:
Comment by xstryker on 22 March 2010 at 12:14 am:
In less than a year an a quarter, Obama has an accomplishment list any President would envy.
The economy? Saved. Weak, but saved. When the hole is 10 miles deep, the climb takes time.
The war in Iraq? Almost done.
The war in Afghanistan? Our soldiers have achived more in 14 months than in the last 5 years of the Bush administration. And meanwhile, in quiet partnership, got Pakistan to beat back the surging Pakistani Taliban.
Health Care? The biggest battle has just been won. We didn’t get as far as we wanted, but we got farther than any administration has gotten in over 100 years of trying.
Climate change? We got a bill through the House. Halfway there, even if “there” isn’t all that close to where we want to be.
America’s reputation in the world? Greatly improved, and there’s plenty of polling research to back that up. (But seriously, shame on Congress for not allowing the closure of Guantanamo).
As for financial reform, it’s begun – the Credit Card Act is on the books. It’s not enough, but there’s plenty more on the table in the Senate.
So tonight is the latest in a series of hard-fought victories. Keep it up, Mr. President – there’s still more ground to cover, especially with regards to regulating credit default swaps.
Thank you, Mr. President, and God Bless America!!!
Comment by Jason330 on 22 March 2010 at 12:22 am:
X – and all of that in the face of the determined, unhinged (even treasonous if you ask me) Republican obstructionism.
Comment by Jason330 on 22 March 2010 at 12:29 am:
BTW – What did Coons say in his statement ?
Comment by P.Schwartz on 22 March 2010 at 1:00 am:
President Obama Breaks Faith with Women [Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill.....]
http://www.now.org ^
President Obama Breaks Faith with Women Statement of NOW President Terry O’Neill March 21, 2010 The National Organization for Women is incensed that President Barack Obama agreed today to issue an executive order designed to appease a handful of anti-choice Democrats who have held up health care reform in an effort to restrict women’s access to abortion. Through this order, the president has announced he will lend the weight of his office and the entire executive branch to the anti-abortion measures included in the Senate bill, which the House is now prepared to pass. President Obama campaigned as a pro-choice…
Comment by anonone on 22 March 2010 at 4:58 am:
HCR? A windfall for insurance and pharma companies based on lies, secret back room deals, and betrayal of campaign promises. Doesn’t control costs or guarantee access to health care. Extorts money from families to pay for private corporate profits.
The War in Iraq? 30,000-50,000 troops to remain indefinitely…. Almost over? Not.
Gitmo? No plans to close, just empty promises.
Afghanistan? Escalated, including a secret illegal war in Pakistan. Civilians murdered weekly. No end in sight.
Prosecution of War crimes? None.
Financial reform? Toothless. Double-digit unemployment while bankers award themselves record bonuses.
Reproductive rights? Support of the Hyde amendment making women’s reproductive health dependent on economic status.
End of DADT? Nope. Need to study some more.
Judiciary? Close to record number vacancies and too few nominations sent to the Senate.
Economy? Double digit unemployment continues, addressed by an insignificant “Jobs Bill”
Thanks for the crumbs, Mr. President. Thanks for lying to the country during your campaign and thanks for being more interested in pleasing republicans and corporate interests than those of us who actually believed in and voted for you.
Comment by Unstable Isotope on 22 March 2010 at 6:20 am:
Obama’s remarks from last night. Watch Joe Biden, does he look teary-eyed?
Comment by anon on 22 March 2010 at 6:38 am:
We’ve got the foundation dug and partially poured (the concept of the right to health care).
Part of it (the individual mandate) is too weak to support the whole house until the foundation is strengthened (public option).
Now we need to either complete the other half of the foundation, or dig it out and re-pour, before we can build the house.
I guess digging the hole is what we are celebrating though.
Comment by Unstable Isotope on 22 March 2010 at 6:49 am:
Agree anon. There’s still work to be done. Now let’s get a public option and Medicare buy-in.
Comment by pandora on 22 March 2010 at 6:52 am:
I’m taking a quick breath and then getting back to work.
Comment by liberalgeek on 22 March 2010 at 7:11 am:
To extend the metaphor, we have dug a hole that other contractors have tried to dig, but it seemed too rocky and not worth the effort. Today we blasted through the rock and had the foundation that we were looking for.
So yes, on to shoring up the walls.
Comment by Nancy Willling on 22 March 2010 at 7:19 am:
Where is Chris Coons? I would have liked to have seen him weigh in on abortion for the state’s major newspaper. Is Coons a pro-choice liberal or not? I sure as hell want an answer. WTF to run away from the issue and not have a comment for the WNJ? Is he a pro-life Catholic? Is he being coy to collect money from the pro-life constituency? If this SOB doesn’t really want to run then he should step off and let’s see if we can’t get Kaufman in.
Kaufman will get millions from across the country at a drop of a hat now that he has directly challenged Wall Street and won the heart of all America. If Kaufman’s main objection to staying in the Senate was having to raise money, I can promise you that he won’t have to work for money now.
Comment by Nancy Willling on 22 March 2010 at 7:23 am:
A housekeeping note for UI: your header should say “An Historic Moment”.
Comment by aqc on 22 March 2010 at 7:38 am:
My son lost his insurance with his job and could not afford COBRA. How is he supposed to afford mandatory coverage now, and how is this reform?
Comment by El Somnambulo on 22 March 2010 at 7:50 am:
Leave it to Nancy Willing to somehow use the healthcare vote to diss Chris Coons. From the beginning, Mike Castle was an impediment to health care reform. First, by joining with Tom Carper to push some kind of ‘incremental bipartisan reform’ that was never gonna work, except for big pharma and big insurance, and then by voting in lockstep every step of the way with the obstructionists.
For my $$’s, that makes Castle, by definition, an obstructionist. Which is just what he will be in the Senate. Unless the R’s are in the majority. Is that what you really want, Nancy? See how your rights are treated then.
We get it Nancy. You don’t like Chris Coons. You raise all sorts of unsubstantiated questions about him as if he’s the boogeyman reincarnate.
On the day that historic health care reform passed, only a select few, more specifically a select one, could somehow twist Castle’s two-faced behavior into a blast at Chris Coons.
Once again, you’ve missed the big story. This vote has changed America and may very well change the political landscape.
I, for one, have been so frustrated by the D’s inability to act that I’ve been pretty damned unenthusiastic. This changes everything. And for the R’s predicting a red tidal wave in November, let me simply say, “Not so fast, my friends.”
Comment by nemski on 22 March 2010 at 8:19 am:
Wow, more than a year of not being able to comment (due to job) on one of the most historic pieces of legislation. Whew, glad that’s over.
Comment by Unstable Isotope on 22 March 2010 at 8:23 am:
aqc,
The bill provides subsidies to allow people to buy insurance coverage. Unfortunately that doesn’t kick in for a few years.
I agree ‘Bulo that Republicans should not start counting their chickens too much. Passing this legislation completely changes the narrative about the Obama presidency and the Democratic Congress. Now Democrats can go to their districts and talk up the benefits of the bill and Obama has become the most successful first-term president ever.
Comment by Scott P on 22 March 2010 at 8:42 am:
Also remember, aqc, that the individual mandate does not take effect until 2014. And, I’m pretty sure that if he’s below the filing threshold (which if he’s still unemployed in 2014 he would presumably be), he would be exempt.
Comment by Unstable Isotope on 22 March 2010 at 8:43 am:
Here’s a good article on the changes to expect.
Comment by MJ on 22 March 2010 at 8:48 am:
Did something happen last night? I fell asleep listening to the nattering nabobs of negativism (John Boehner and company).
Comment by Unstable Isotope on 22 March 2010 at 8:51 am:
You really missed out if you missed Boehner’s speech. It was truly epic fail.
Comment by anon on 22 March 2010 at 8:54 am:
Also remember, aqc, that the individual mandate does not take effect until 2014.
Right… so no reason to do anything until then.
Comment by anon on 22 March 2010 at 8:57 am:
Today we blasted through the rock
Oops… the foundation was supposed to be over there on the LEFT side of the road! Oh well.
Comment by bamboozer on 22 March 2010 at 9:54 am:
The real question remains: Will Republicans benefit from this bills passage? I think not, as more people realize this bill will benefit them it’s popularity will increase, if not soar. Tea Party? Report to the disgraced and dismissed room. John Boehner, Orange Prophet of Doom foams and sputters to ignominy. Mike Castle? Well he’ll be trying to take credit for it in a few months.(Delaware!, Delaware!)
Comment by Geezer on 22 March 2010 at 10:05 am:
Nancy, I suggest you meet Mr. Kaufman, since you will not believe anyone else about his sincerity in saying he will not run, period.
On your style point, the AP stylebook does not agree. A couple of explanations. First, from “The Elephants of Style:
“For choosing a or an, spelling doesn’t matter; pronunciation does. A is for consonant sounds; an is for vowel sounds. The ever-popular an historic is incorrect, at least for American speakers, because historic does not begin with a vowel sound.”
Or, a simpler mnemonic: Do you live in an house?
Comment by John Manifold on 22 March 2010 at 10:20 am:
Willing: Is Coons a pro-choice liberal or not?
Coons’ support on front page of Planned Parenthood Delaware’s current newsletter.
Comment by anon on 22 March 2010 at 10:27 am:
*golf clap for HCR*
Let me explain why I am a purist single payer advocate.
The bill requires insurance companies to keep people with pre-existing conditions, no recissions, and no caps. But it doesn’t require their EMPLOYERS to keep them. So any employee who represents a high cost, will likely be asked, as I was, to choose between their job and their health insurance. Recission still exists, except that now you lose your job too.
Recission has been transferred from insurance companies to employers.
I work for an out of state company, and my family was enrolled in my employer’s insurance plan. We don’t have any major health problems or medical expenses. But at some point, my employer discovered the insurer was charging more than double for my plan because I lived out of state. In order to cover me I had been signed up for the “national” plan as opposed to the local plan. It is a small company so the cost was very noticable. So I was asked nicely to cancel my plan and switch to my spouse’s plan. It was pretty clear to me that if I did not, I would no longer be working there. Or I would be switched to contractor status, if they felt they could not get along without me. So I waived my insurance enrollment, and we switched to my wife’s plan. I had to choose between my job, and my health insurance. No, they did not put this in writing. They are not dummies.
So if my wife loses her job and insurance, does Obamacare help me? No. If I go to the exchanges to purchase a plan, they will say “No, you are eligible for your employer’s plan which you waived, so go sign up with your employer.”
Even if there were a public option, I would not be able to purchase it, because I remain eligible for my employer’s plan.
I can re-enroll with my employer’s plan any time I want. They will hand me an insurance card, and eventually, a cardboard box to clean out my desk. Then my family income is zero, so according to Obamacare, I am now supposed to be grateful not to be penalized for not purchasing insurance. Then what – Medicaid?
That is why health insurance should not be controlled by employers.
And that is why you should not scorn single payer advocates.
I suppose my particular problem can be fixed by a regulation that prevents the insurance company from charging more for out of state workers. I don’t see that in the bill. Maybe there is something else in the bill that might help, if we can make it to 2014.
Comment by a.price on 22 March 2010 at 10:39 am:
Hey, so when is Rush moving to Costa Rica? Does he need some help packing? what can we do to get him outta here?
Comment by liberalgeek on 22 March 2010 at 10:41 am:
I agree that health insurance should be decoupled from employers. We can work on that starting today. One would hope that single issues like the one you discussed above would be simple slamdunks (I know that nothing is a slamdunk with the party of no).
Single-payer would be great and if Democrats can hold ground in November, we may have a shot at some steps in that direction in the next two years, but that mountain is imposing.
Comment by anon on 22 March 2010 at 10:49 am:
The out of state thing should be an easy fix, if anyone gets around to it. But lots of other people are higher-cost for more serious reasons like actual health problems. Those people are already being fired for the cost of their health insurance.
Eliminating recission and caps and pre-existing will only make the insurance companies put more pressure on employers to fire high-cost employees.
I guess I was lucky to have been given a choice. It’s a good job otherwise.
Comment by Unstable Isotope on 22 March 2010 at 10:49 am:
I agree that single payer would be much better.
I also think opening the exchanges to everyone would be a great step. I also think coupling employment to health care is a bad idea.
Comment by Republican David on 22 March 2010 at 11:16 am:
A. P. how does one man get so much wrong. Rush never said that he would move to Costa Rica. He responded to a question about where would he go to get health care if America’s was ruined. That is not the same as moving there. He is rich enough to fly to Costa Rica or New Zealand and be back for work. It is the rest of us that have to keep watch when new advances are strapped for lack of money.
The rich will be fine under Obama Care. It is the working poor who will sort of suffer when Medicaid is not accepted by most doctors because the rates have been cut so deeply and you have to hunt for a pharmacy when you have no car.
Comment by anon on 22 March 2010 at 11:24 am:
It is the working poor who will sort of suffer when Medicaid is not accepted by most doctors because the rates have been cut so deeply and you have to hunt for a pharmacy when you have no car.
Wow, that violin is way out of tune, I guess you don’t play it much.
Comment by anononthisone on 22 March 2010 at 11:49 am:
How dare an obstructionist Republican even pretend to give a rats ass about the poor? If there was any doubt that they think the poor should crawl in a hole and die, this vote should solidify that reputation. So many lies and fantasies about the future based on ignorance.
Comment by anonone on 22 March 2010 at 11:59 am:
“Health stocks are higher on relief about House approval of a health care overhaul bill.”
Gee, I wonder why? It couldn’t possibly be that they are going to fleece the citizenry even more now that the government is going to force them to pay for their profits, could it?
Comment by anonone on 22 March 2010 at 12:01 pm:
I hear that Obomba is going to drive in an ambulance to the Aetna Headquarters and give a speech to the insurance executives under a “Mission Accomplished” banner. I can’t wait.